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From: Strosaker <strosaker_at_cox.net>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Foam--Was Tempest and Chatham outfitting
Date: Mon, 15 Sep 2003 16:50:29 -0700
Paddlewisers,

I hate the new seats a lot of companies, such as Necky and Wilderness
Systems, are now putting in their kayaks. Talk about extra weight and
overkill! They remind me of reclining armchairs. Custom carved foam seats
rule! I'll take a block of foam over a "Phase 3" seat any day.

Duane Strosaker
www.rollordrown.com

----- Original Message ----- 
From: <jfarrelly5_at_comcast.net>
To: <paddlewise_at_paddlewise.net>
Sent: Monday, September 15, 2003 3:30 PM
Subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Tempest and Chatham outfitting (was: Seaward
outfitting)


> Are the days of being a manly man and carving your own seat and pads
> numbered?  I refuse to be assimilated!  Unless it means an elevated butt
> comfort level....
>
> Jim et al
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From: <aldercreek_at_qwest.net>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Foam--Was Tempest and Chatham outfitting
Date: Tue, 16 Sep 2003 10:01:09 -0400
Duane,

Most folks don't have the skill, time, or desire to build a custom foam
seat/ thigh system.  In fact most folks would like to just purchase a boat
and go paddling.  The multi-adjustable seats being fit into the modern sea
boat are an attempt at providing the customer with something that fits, is
comfy, durable, and provides control to the boat.

I have been outfitting with foam for nearly 20 years and in all my
experience I have yet to come up with a foam outfitting system that was as
adjustable, durable and EZ as the WS stystem. At going shop rates and foam
costs $$$$ is also an issue.  A complete seat/knee system would take $20-50
in foam and glue and 3-6 hrs. labor.

steve


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From: PeterO <rebyl_kayak_at_iprimus.com.au>
subject: RE: [Paddlewise] Foam--Was Tempest and Chatham outfitting
Date: Wed, 17 Sep 2003 22:43:44 +1000
Steve wrote
>I have been outfitting with foam for nearly 20
>years and in all my experience I have yet to come
>up with a foam outfitting system that was as
>adjustable, durable and EZ as the WS stystem.

G'Day

I'm happy to compromise and line a seat with layers of foam sheets. This can
easily and cheaply be modified from summer to winter as clothing changes,
but is only suitable for skinny folk. Had forgotten how comfortable this was
until I put my boat in for repair and started hiring commercial boats - how
anyone could sit for hours in the average commercial seat beats me. The
Klepper seat is also suprisingly uncomfortable by comparison with a foam
lined seat.- I've started taking padding along when I hire boats now.

All the best, PeterO


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From: John Fereira <jaf30_at_cornell.edu>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Foam--Was Tempest and Chatham outfitting
Date: Wed, 17 Sep 2003 11:33:52 -0400
At 10:01 AM 9/16/2003 -0400, aldercreek_at_qwest.net wrote:
>Duane,
>
>Most folks don't have the skill, time, or desire to build a custom foam
>seat/ thigh system.  In fact most folks would like to just purchase a boat
>and go paddling.  The multi-adjustable seats being fit into the modern sea
>boat are an attempt at providing the customer with something that fits, is
>comfy, durable, and provides control to the boat.
>
>I have been outfitting with foam for nearly 20 years and in all my
>experience I have yet to come up with a foam outfitting system that was as
>adjustable, durable and EZ as the WS stystem. At going shop rates and foam
>costs $$$$ is also an issue.  A complete seat/knee system would take $20-50
>in foam and glue and 3-6 hrs. labor.

Spoken like someone that is in the business of selling Wilderness Systems 
kayaks.
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From: Alder Creek Kayak & Canoe <aldercreek_at_qwest.net>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Foam--Was Tempest and Chatham outfitting
Date: Wed, 17 Sep 2003 12:46:17 -0700
With an obvious air of sarcasm John writes>>Spoken like someone that is in
the business of selling Wilderness Systems
kayaks.

no, actually it's spoken by someone who has nearly 20 years of experience in
the business of selling AND outfitting kayaks of all types.  I have been
constructing foam seats, knee braces, backstraps and the like since the days
of the Hollowforms, Jets and Mirages and see the new wave of boat outfitting
as an alternative to the hours of labor, the cost of materials and the
craftsmanship needed to 'custom outfit' a vessel cockpit.

steve
Alder Creek Kayak & Canoe    N   45º 36.285'
250 NE Tomahawk Isle Dr.     W 122º 39.841'
Portland, OR  97217          Web: www.aldercreek.com
Phone: 503.285.0464        Email: aldercreek_at_qwest.net
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From: John Fereira <jaf30_at_cornell.edu>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Foam--Was Tempest and Chatham outfitting
Date: Wed, 17 Sep 2003 11:42:12 -0400
At 04:50 PM 9/15/2003 -0700, Strosaker wrote:
>Paddlewisers,
>
>I hate the new seats a lot of companies, such as Necky and Wilderness
>Systems, are now putting in their kayaks. Talk about extra weight and
>overkill! They remind me of reclining armchairs. Custom carved foam seats
>rule! I'll take a block of foam over a "Phase 3" seat any day.

I agree with you.  As this subject was related to an original complaint 
about the Seaward seat/backband, I'll continue...

What I like about the Seaward approach is that it is extremely simple, 
making it much easier to customize for those that want to do so.  Many of 
the seats in commercial kayaks are so integrated with the deck, hull, or 
sideplates that any modification almost requires cutting the whole thing 
out.  The Seaward seat is a simple piece of foam in a nylon back with a 
fastex buckle to hold it in place.  Making a custom fit seat is a simple 
matter of replacing the piece of foam with something that has been carved 
to fit.  The hard plastic seat back is not dissimilar to the seat back I 
made for my Skerray, except that mine is much shorter and is constructed 
out of a piece of plastic garbage can and some glued on mini-cell foam.


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